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Feelin' Solexy
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: WA
Posts: 3,786
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I have an education budget...now what?
I'm currently negotiating compensation for a new position I've just recieved in my company, and part of what I've negotiated is an education budget. So I wanted to ask for the advice of the board on what to spend it on.
The quick rundown of my history: Education- Bachelors degrees in English and Computer Science, 2002 Career- 2001-2002 Junior software developer, tech startup (essentially an intern) 2002-2003 CEO of my own tech startup (4 employees at largest) 2003-2005 Lead software developer for financial services startup (1 full time managee, 1 intern) Currently Director of technical product development, same financial services startup (2 managees, 1-2 offshore developers) Basically, I'm a software and technology guy, but I'm only an adequate software engineer. Mostly I do high level product development, "big picture" project planning/project managemement, process streamlining, etc. So now that I have an educational budget, the question is: What classes should I be taking? I'm not especially interested in pursuing an MBA, although several people have suggested that it might be the best fit for where I want to end up. Should I just go for classwork, or should I be shooting for professional certifications, or both? I guess what I'm looking for here is first hand experience/advice on what types of courses/certifications are useful, both in terms of job performance and career advancement. Should I be out looking for a graduate level course on management? Should I be looking for 6 Sigma or other certifications? What has worked for you guys? 
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Grant In the stable: 1938 Buick Special model 41, 1963 Solex 2200, 1973 Vespa Primavera 125, 1974 Vespa Rally 200, 1986 VW Vanagon Syncro Westfalia, 1989 VW Doka Tristar, 2011 Pursuit 315 OS, 2022 Tesla Y Gone but not forgotten: 1973 VW Beetle, 1989 Porsche 944, 2008 R56 Mini Cooper S |
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10-27-2005, 10:50 AM
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Too big to fail
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Sounds like the MBA is really what you want, but what is your new gig?
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"You go to the track with the Porsche you have, not the Porsche you wish you had." '03 E46 M3 '57 356A Various VWs |
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10-27-2005, 10:58 AM
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Feelin' Solexy
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: WA
Posts: 3,786
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Sorry, I should have made that clearer. The new gig is the current gig (director of technical product development), it's about 2 weeks old for the title, but we're still ironing out some particulars.
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Grant In the stable: 1938 Buick Special model 41, 1963 Solex 2200, 1973 Vespa Primavera 125, 1974 Vespa Rally 200, 1986 VW Vanagon Syncro Westfalia, 1989 VW Doka Tristar, 2011 Pursuit 315 OS, 2022 Tesla Y Gone but not forgotten: 1973 VW Beetle, 1989 Porsche 944, 2008 R56 Mini Cooper S |
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10-27-2005, 11:02 AM
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Registered
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Hollister, CA,
Posts: 106
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Congratulations on such a rapid rise in management, quite an accomplishment.
I agree with Thom. When you reach those levels you will need to be able to talk to and understand the CFO on his terms with his language and a background that includes an MBA and Finance will give you the credentials you need to advance further. I would also recommend self study on the qualities of Leadership, John Maxwell's books are a great resource in my opinion, but your rapid rise implies that you have the intrinsic qualities of a leader. Scott.
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88 Carrera |
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10-27-2005, 11:26 AM
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Detached Member
Join Date: May 2003
Location: southern California
Posts: 26,964
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MBA/Finance, since your in Lowell, if you can do Harvard or Sloan school at MIT go for it.
(UMass Amherst for a BS and UCLA for MBA)
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Hugh |
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10-27-2005, 08:38 PM
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